Info.plist usage description keys for camera, location, microphone, contacts, health, Bluetooth, and more.
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locationLocation4 keys
NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescriptionRequired for location access while the app is in the foreground. The string is displayed in the system permission alert.
iOS 8
NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescriptionRequired for always-on location access including background. Must also include NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription.
iOS 11
NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescriptionLegacy key for always-on location. Superseded by NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription. Keep for iOS 10 compatibility.
NSLocationTemporaryUsageDescriptionDictionaryA dictionary of purpose keys mapped to usage strings for requesting temporary full-accuracy upgrades via requestTemporaryFullAccuracyAuthorization.
iOS 14
cameraCamera & Photos3 keys
NSCameraUsageDescriptionRequired for any camera access. Without this key, accessing the camera crashes the app immediately.
iOS 7
NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescriptionRequired for read access to the photo library. In iOS 14+ users can grant access to selected photos only.
iOS 6
NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescriptionRequired for write-only access — saving photos or videos to the library without reading existing content.
iOS 11
microphoneMicrophone & Speech2 keys
NSMicrophoneUsageDescriptionRequired for any microphone access — recording audio, voice input, or real-time audio processing. Missing key crashes the app.
iOS 7
NSSpeechRecognitionUsageDescriptionRequired when using SFSpeechRecognizer for speech-to-text. Audio may be sent to Apple servers unless on-device recognition is used (iOS 13+).
iOS 10
contactsContacts & Calendar6 keys
NSContactsUsageDescriptionRequired for reading or writing contacts via the Contacts framework.
iOS 6
NSCalendarsFullAccessUsageDescriptionRequired for full read and write access to calendars and events. Use this in iOS 17+ instead of NSCalendarsUsageDescription.
iOS 17
NSCalendarsWriteOnlyAccessUsageDescriptionRequired for creating events without reading existing calendar data. iOS 17+.
iOS 17
NSCalendarsUsageDescriptionLegacy key for calendar read/write access. Superseded in iOS 17.
NSRemindersFullAccessUsageDescriptionRequired for full access to reminders — reading, creating, and completing. Use this in iOS 17+ instead of NSRemindersUsageDescription.
iOS 17
NSRemindersUsageDescriptionLegacy key for Reminders access. Superseded in iOS 17.
NSHealthShareUsageDescriptionRequired for reading health data from HealthKit. Shown in the HealthKit permissions sheet, not the standard system alert.
iOS 8
NSHealthUpdateUsageDescriptionRequired for writing health data to HealthKit. Combine with NSHealthShareUsageDescription if also reading.
iOS 8
NSHealthClinicalHealthRecordsShareUsageDescriptionRequired for accessing clinical health records (FHIR data) from supported healthcare institutions.
iOS 12
NSMotionUsageDescriptionRequired for motion and fitness data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and step counter via CMMotionManager or CMPedometer.
iOS 7
connectivityBluetooth & Network4 keys
NSBluetoothAlwaysUsageDescriptionRequired for any Bluetooth access in iOS 13+. Covers both central and peripheral roles. Apps also targeting iOS 12 need NSBluetoothPeripheralUsageDescription.
iOS 13
NSBluetoothPeripheralUsageDescriptionLegacy Bluetooth key for iOS 6–12. In iOS 13+ use NSBluetoothAlwaysUsageDescription.
NSLocalNetworkUsageDescriptionRequired before the app can browse or connect to devices on the local network via Bonjour, mDNS, or custom TCP/UDP sockets.
iOS 14
NSNearbyInteractionUsageDescriptionRequired for the Nearby Interaction framework — measuring distance and direction to other U1/UWB-equipped devices.
iOS 14
identityIdentity & Privacy2 keys
NSFaceIDUsageDescriptionRequired when using Face ID via the LocalAuthentication framework. Missing this key crashes the app on Face ID devices.
iOS 11
NSUserTrackingUsageDescriptionRequired for App Tracking Transparency (ATT). Shown before requesting IDFA access or cross-app tracking. Mandatory for App Store submission if tracking is used.
iOS 14
mediaMedia & Home4 keys
NSAppleMusicUsageDescriptionRequired for accessing the user's Apple Music library and media player queue via the MediaPlayer framework.
iOS 9.3
NSHomeKitUsageDescriptionRequired for communicating with HomeKit-enabled accessories via the HomeKit framework.
iOS 8
NSSiriUsageDescriptionRequired when integrating with Siri via the Intents framework (SiriKit). Shown when the user first enables your app's Siri integration.
iOS 10
NSVideoSubscriberAccountUsageDescriptionRequired for authenticating with a TV provider (TV Everywhere / MVPD) via the VideoSubscriberAccount framework.